australian television information archive

About the series

Eugénie Sandler is an ordinary teenager, worried about the usual things — her place in the world, who she is, and what it's like to be fifteen. She also worries about Ray, her private investigator father whose job causes frequent changes of address, or as Eugénie puts it: "Other girls collect CDs; me, it's postcodes!"

Then one morning her worries really start! Ray lets drop what sounds like a warning, but before he can explain, he disappears leaving Eugénie to discover that someone wants to kidnap her while others would like her dead.

But there's help at hand — Warwick Bedford, a gawky and serious boy from school, becomes her ally, and together they set about solving the mystery that surrounds Eugénie's life.

This brings more than one surprise! Eugénie has no birth certificate, her passport is false, she was not born in Australia as she thought, but in the crumbling dictatorship of Versovia. Ray is not her father and she is of royal blood — the last in line to the throne.

There are people who don't want her to wear that crown!

Episode 1

Monday, October 30, 2000 (ABC)
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Ana Kokkinos

Fifteen years have passed since Ray Sandler fled from Versovia with the small baby in the backseat of the car. The past is catching up with Ray and his daughter, Eugénie. Ray disappears and someone is trying to kill Eugénie, but why? Eugénie sets out to find her father and unravel the mystery, with the help of her school friend, Warwick.

With: Saskia Post as Angela Duvier; Kevin Maxwell as Brewer, Sam Brown as Gibson, Laura Lattauda as Teacher, Troy Bucknall as Najjer Ransome, George Vidalis as Guard #1, Ilya Djukic as Guard #2, Les Toth as Man 1, Ron Kamoan as Man 2, Holly Dalton as Baby Eugenie

Episode 2

Tuesday, October 31, 2000
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Ana Kokkinos

Lucky to escape from her house with their lives, Eugénie and Warwick are on the run. Before they can begin to try and find Ray, they must find somewhere safe to stay. Tony, a young street kid, offers to help, and Eugénie and Warwick find themselves embroiled in a racket where kids are taken off the streets and returned to their parents by a gang known as "Hide and Seek".

With: Alex Menglet as Davorin, Jasper Bagg as Slavomir, Luke Elliot as Michail, Odette Joannidis as Teresa Brady, Darcy Bonser as Tony, Richard Cawthorne as Sammy, Nathan Phillips as Leo, Kestie Morassi as Nicole, Domani Madigan as Mardie, Lauren Hawker as Nulty, Stephen Puopolo as Kovak, Dominic Phelan as Trevor, Roy Davies as Old Man

Note this episode won the 2000 AFI Award in the category "Best Children's Television Drama"

Episode 3

Wednesday, November 01, 2000
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Anna Kokkinos

Eugénie and Warwick escape their captor and find a safe haven at Alloway House. Ray's friends are keen to help, but they are the ones who actually need help. A conman is trying to take over their guesthouse but Eugénie has a plan to get their house back. Warwick decides to go to the Versovian bakery.

With: Saskia Post as Angela Duvier; Jasper Bagg as Slavomir, Luke Elliot as Michail, Margaret Cameron as Mrs Mitchell, David Hoflin as Peter Mitchell, Kirby Bebend as Ella Mitchell, Brian Lipson as Lance Purdie, Robin Cuming as Mr Crabtree, Brandon Burns as Geoff, Matt Norman as Policeman 1, John Ridley as Policeman 2

Episode 4

Thursday, November 02, 2000
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Anna Kokkinos

Eugénie and Warwick are on the run again — with Detective Gurney hot on their tails. Eugénie goes off in search of the woman in the photograph — hoping it will be her mother. Warwick bumps into Ray and goes off to help him, only to encounter the mysterious foreigners in suits again.

With: Kerry Armstrong as Sylvia; Saskia Post as Angela Duvier; Alex Menglet as Davorin, Jasper Bagg as Slavomir, Luke Elliot as Michail, Odette Joannidis as Teresa Brady, Margaret Cameron as Mrs Mitchell, David Hoflin as Peter Mitchell, Susan Tan as Receptionist, Diana Viduka as Girl in Library, Georgina Chrisanthanthapoulas as Girl 1, Kamarra Bell-Wykes as Girl 2

Episode 5

Friday, November 03, 2000
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Moira Moss

The discovery of the passport and pendant pose more questions than they answer. Hiding at the beach, Eugénie and Warwick trap a couple of thieves, but their heroics put them in the papers and let Detective Gurney know where they are.

With: Saskia Post as Angela Duvier; Alex Menglet as Davorin, Jasper Bagg as Slavomir, Bruce Myles as Uncle Harry, Kim Gyngell as Dancer, Peter Hardy as Stokesy, Tony Briggs as Ice-cream Vendor, Anne Browning as Newspaper Reporter, Robert Forza as Guido, Peter Houghton as Policeman, Kara Kyne as Alison, Serge De Nardo as Chris, Gareth Yuen as Lifesaver

Episode 6

Monday, November 06, 2000
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Moira Moss

Eugénie goes to the passport office hoping to get some answers about her true identity. All she gets are more questions. Gurney tracks her down and this time, he's sure he can kill her.

With: Saskia Post as Angela Duvier; Alex Menglet as Davorin, Jasper Bagg as Slavomir, Luke Elliot as Michail, Odette Joannidis as Teresa Brady, Bruce Myles as Uncle Harry, Louise Siverson as Winsome Bedford, Bruce Myles as Ian Bedford, Darcy Bonser as Tony, Richard Cawthorne as Sammy, Lauren Hawker as Nulty, Stephen Puopolo as Kovak, Deidre Naughton as Tammy, Danka Simic as Redistry Clerk, Kim Denman as Passport Clerk, Adam Murphy as Passport Security Guard, Paul Collins as Security Guard 1, Andrew Dunn as Security Guard 2, Juz Cameron as Amanda, Chris Elliot as Suit 1, Sean Dumbrell as Suit 2, Alex Pinder as Police Inspector [uncredited]

Episode 7

Tuesday, November 07, 2000
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Moira Moss

Warwick's parents arrive home and it is time for Eugénie to move on. Everyone is looking for her — her father, Detective Gurney, Detective Brady, Slavomir and Davorin. Warwick ends up in hospital when they try to help the street kids who are being stood over by some thugs.

With: Saskia Post as Angela Duvier; Alex Menglet as Davorin, Jasper Bagg as Slavomir, Luke Elliot as Michail, Odette Joannidis as Teresa Brady, Bruce Myles as Ian Bedford, Louise Siverson as Winsome Bedford, Darcy Bonser as Tony, Richard Cawthorne as Sammy, Lauren Hawker as Nulty, Trent Fowler as Howden, Martin Copping as Thargie, Jake Kirov as Spanner, Cormack McArt as Electrical Store, Alex Pinder as Police Inspector, Miles Paras as Nurse Lyle, Heather Bradley as Guitar Girl, Kate Crowley as Suit 1,

Episode 8

Wednesday, November 08, 2000
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Moira Moss

Eugénie manages to escape from the Versovians. With Warwick in hospital and her father still missing, she has to trust someone. Eugénie tells Detective Teresa Brady the while story. It is time to confront Gurney with his actions.

With: Saskia Post as Angela Duvier; Alex Menglet as Davorin, Jasper Bagg as Slavomir, Luke Elliot as Michail, Odette Joannidis as Teresa Brady, Bruce Myles as Ian Bedford, Louise Siverson as Winsome Bedford, Julie Forsythe as Police Desk Officer, Maxie Rickard as Jen, Elizabeth James as Bree, Esme Melville as Scottish Lady, Shawn Unsworth as George, Claire Howell as Nurse Tate, Miles Paras as Nurse Lyle

Episode 9

Thursday, November 09, 2000
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Colin Mowbray

Eugénie and Warwick go to Haven Lodge looking for Ray and become involved in a stolen painting racket. Matt Gurney is on the run.

With: Alex Menglet as Davorin, Jasper Bagg as Slavomir, Luke Elliot as Michail, Louise Siverson as Winsome Bedford, Greg Saunders as Dylan Peterson, Hamish Hughes as Simon Richland, Rhona Rees as Cassie Richland, Janine Loftus as Libby, Nathan Phillips as Leo, Chris Chapman as Fabian, Richie Akers as Charles Smollet, Robert Forza as Guido, Felicity Menadue as Flight Attendant

Episode 10

Friday, November 10, 2000
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Colin Mowbray

Ray tells Eugénie the whole story — he is not her father. For Ray nothing has changed. He still loves Eugénie as his own. For Eugénie, everything is now different. Ray's revelation just poses more unsanswered questions about her origins. But there is no time to ponder, Ray needs her help with a case.

With: Saskia Post as Angela Duvier; Alex Menglet as Davorin, Jasper Bagg as Slavomir, Louise Siverson as Winsome Bedford, Anni Finsterer as Irene Kendall, Emily Barr as Bianca Kendall, Naomi Lopez as Lucy, Fletcher Humphrys as Brett, Dave Michod as Trevor, Clayton Jacobson as Tom, Nicholas Romney as Sacha, Samantha Tolj as Laris, Denise Briskin as Djerita

Episode 11

Monday, November 13, 2000
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Geoffrey Cawthorn

While Eugénie is trying to get used to the idea that Angela is her mother, Ray is being held captive by Matt Gurney.

With: Saskia Post as Angela Duvier, Alex Menglet as Davorin, Jasper Bagg as Slavomir, Luke Elliot as Michail, Odette Joannidis as Teresa Brady, Viva Skubiszewski as Adriana, Clayton Watson as Joska, Alex Pinder as Police Inspector

Episode 12

Tuesday, November 14, 2000
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Geoffrey Cawthorn

Eugénie knows that she is a princess and that Angela is not her mother. She decides to go along with the ruse to find out what the Versovians have planned for her. The danger for Eugénie is far from over and now it comes from those close to her.

With: Saskia Post as Angela Duvier, Alex Menglet as Davorin, Jasper Bagg as Slavomir, Luke Elliot as Michail, Odette Joannidis as Teresa Brady, Briony Williams as Georgia, Viva Skubiszewski as Adriana, Clayton Watson as Joska, Nikolai Nikolaeff as Bogdan

Episode 13

Wednesday, November 15, 2000
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Geoffrey Cawthorn

Everyone thinks Eugénie's plan to trap Matt Gurney is too dangerous, but she is determined to go ahead with it. And preparations are underway for Versovians to meet their Princess.

With: Saskia Post as Angela Duvier, Alex Menglet as Davorin, Jasper Bagg as Slavomir, Luke Elliot as Michail, Odette Joannidis as Teresa Brady, Darcy Bonser as Tony

Note this episode was nominated for an AFI Award for "Best Children's Television Drama"